Muslim Pilgrimage

Highlight: Ethiopia looks and feels like a Christian country, at least if you travel in Addis Ababa and through the highlands. But at least 35% of the population is Muslim and some say more then 50%. Most of Ethiopia's Muslims are Sunni Muslims. Islam arrived in Ethiopia in 615. During that year, the Prophet Muhammad's followers sought refuge in the Ethiopian Kingdom of Aksum, possibly settling at Negash. The following tour mainly focuses to explore:- Negash Mosque. It was the site of the first Muslim settlement in Ethiopia, granted to more than 100 early Islamic refugees (including Mhammed’s daughter Rukiya and his future wives Uma Habiba and Uma Salama) by the Axumite Emperor Asihima in AD630. The fantastic limestone caves of Sof Omar. It is one of the world’s most spectacular and extensive underground systems. The cave which is now an important Islamic Shrine was named after the saintly Sheikh Sof Omar who took refuge here many centuries ago. The cave has a religious history that predates the arrival of the Muslims in Bale – a history calculated in thousands of years. Sheikh Hussein- Lost in the desert plains of Bale Province in Ethiopia, lies the sacred shrine of Sheikh Hussein. Its glistening white domes float in a vast sea of emerald green scrub. Through the heat haze and craggy outlines of the Bale Mountains on the distant horizon, this remote shrine and its sacred compound house the tomb of a Saint renowned for his miraculous powers. Although little is known of Sheikh Hussein's history, his shrine has become the site one of Ethiopia's most extraordinary pilgrimages. Twice each year up to 50,000 pilgrims, most coming from Ethiopia's remote villages, make an arduous journey to pray at the shrine of Shiekh Hussein. Harar- the reported seat of Muslim learning, the Holy City of Ethiopia's Muslim community, is believed to be the forth-holiest city after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem.

ItineraryDay 1: Arrive at Bale International Airport (Addis Ababa) where you will be met Passion Ethiopia Tours representative and transfer to hotel. O/N - HotelDay 2: Drive via the rift valley region to Bale-the home of Muslim-Oromo people. O/N - HotelDay 3: Drive to Sof-Omer to visit the cave & famous for Muslim pilgrimage -It is one of the world’s most spectacular and extensive underground systems and its famous Islamic holies place in southeast Ethiopia. The intermittent river web, which sources from Bale mountains National park, penetrates the cave years round. Drive back to Robe for overnight Hotel. O/N - HotelDay 4: Drive to Sheik Hussein-famous Islamic holiest place in Bale region. Drive back to Robe for overnight in the hotel. O/N - HotelDay 5: Drive via Arsi to Sodere-one of the famous weekend resort center in the country. O/N - HotelDay 6: Drive through Awash NP to the 16th century walled city of Harar, it is the 4th Islamic Holiest city in the world with more than 103 Mosques and shrines. O/N - HotelDay 7: Sightseeing tour of Harar that includes: ancient Grand mosques, Shrines and the Adere-Muslim cultural house. O/N - HotelDay 8: Drive to Dire Dawa and transfer to the airport for fly back to Addis. O/N - Hotel Day 9: Transfer to the airport and fly to Mekele. Upon arrival, drive to Negash to visit the first mosque in Ethiopia. Drive back to Mekele. O/N - HotelDay 10: Transfer to the airport and fly back to Addis. Sightseeing tour of Addis and visit the Anuar Mosque situated in the heart of Merkato- the largest open air market in Africa. At the evening, have a farewell dinner party and departure.